Roll film washer



I Oct. 7, 1958 R. B. DODSON 2,854,909

ROLL FILM WASHER Fled Dec. 6, 1956 INVENTOR.

ATTD RN EYS United States Patent Q ROLL FILM WASHER Reb B. Dodson, Post, Terr.

Application December 6, 1956, Serial No. 626,712

Claims. (Cl. 95-=-99) This invention relates to photographic developing and printing apparatus and equipment particularly of the type used for roll film, and in particular a vertically disposed container having supporting means at the lower end with a pair of legs positioned to support one side of the container and with a stem of a valve retained in position by a spring supporting the opposite side; and wherein the spring holds the valve closed until the weight of the water in the container is sufiicient to overbalance the strength of the spring, at which time the container tilts with the stem of the valve separating the valve plate from the bottom of the container opening an opening through the bottom and permitting water to drain from the container until the strength of the spring again urges the stern of the valve downwardly for closing the valve.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a film washer in which the device is automatically operated to flush water through the interior thereof at predetermined intervals.

With conventional film washing devices the film is placed in water in a container and after a predetermined period of time the water is removed and replaced with fresh water. This process continues until the film is thoroughly washed and each time the water is changed the services of an attendant is required. With this thought in mind this invention contemplates a film washer that is so constructed that the weight of the water in the washer opens a valve as the washer fills with water whereby the water is flushed from the device and wherein upon water level in the device dropping to a predetermined amount the Weight of the water is overbalanced with a spring that closes a valve and positions the device for receiving another charge of water.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide means for opening a valve to flush Water from a film washer at predetermined intervals.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for changing water in a film washer at intervals in which the time between the intervals may be regulated by a faucet or valve through which water is supplied to the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatically operating film washer in which the device is of a simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention embodies a cylindrical container having a pair of supporting legs on one side with the opposite side supported by a valve stem in which the valve stem is urged downwardly by a spring and wherein weight of water in the container overbalances the spring, opening a valve on the upper end of the valve stem and permitting water to flush from the Washer as the water reaches a predetermined elevation.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the improved roll film washer showing the device with parts broken away to show Water therein.

2,854,909 Patented Oct. 7, 1958 Figure 2 is a side elevational view similar to that shown in Fig. 1 also showing the device with parts broken away, illustrating the valve therein and showing the container tilted so that the valve is opened.

Figure 3 is a view looking upwardly toward the lower end of the container illustrating the relative positions of the supporting legs and valve stem.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts the improved roll film washer of this invention includes a cylindrical container 10, supporting legs 11 and 12 secured to the under surface of the bottom 13 of the container, a valve disc 14 carried on the upper end of a valve stem 15 and positioned to close an opening 16 in the bottom 13 of the container, and a spring having arms 17 and 18 mounted in bearings 19 and 20 on the under surface of the bottom 13 and positioned with extended ends thereof in openings 21 and 22 in the legs 11 and 12, respectively, and with the intermediate part 23 extended around the stem 15 and positioned to coact with a base 24 on the lower end of the stern for urging the stem downwardly and holding the disc 14 against the inner surface of the bottom 13 to close the opening 16.

With the parts assembled as illustrated and described the washer or container 10 is positioned below a faucet or valve 25 and with the valve opened to supply water to the container the water level 26 fiows upwardly until it reaches a point 27, shown in Fig. 2, at which point the weight of the water overbalances the resiliency of the spring and the container tilts to the position shown in Fig. 2 with the lower end of the stem 15 engaging a surface 28 upon which the washer is positioned, forcing the valve disc 14 upwardly and opening the valve. With the valve opened the water flushes through the opening 16 until the Water level again reaches the point indicated by the numeral 26, at which time the resiliency of the spring overcomes the weight of the water and draws the valve stem 15 and washer 14 downwardly again closing the valve and forcing the washer back to the position shown in Fig. 1.

The period between the flushing cycles is regulated by the valve 25 and is dependent upon the amount of water being supplied to the washer or container.

It will be understood that modifications, within the scope of the appended claims, may be made in the design and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A vertically disposed container having supporting elements on one side for spacing the lower end of the container from a surface, a valve in the lower end of the container and positioned on the side of the center opposite to that on which the supporting elements are positioned, a stem extended from the valve and positioned to to provide a supporting element with the valve in the closed position, and resilient means for retaining the valve in the closed position, said supporting elements and valve stem being located to form a triangle providing three points of support for retaining the container in an upright position.

2. A vertically disposed container having a wall extended upwardly from a base, supporting elements depending from the base, said base having an opening therethrough, said opening positioned on the side of the base opposite to that upon which the supporting elements are positioned, a valve mounted in the opening of the base and having a stern depending therefrom, and resilient means for retaining the stem of the valve in an extended position, said supporting elements and valve stem being located to form a triangle providing three points of support for retaining the container in an upright position.

3. In a roll film washer, the combination which comprises a base having an opening therethrough, a continuous Wall extended upwardly from the periphery of the base, supporting elements depending from the base and positioned on the side of the center of the washer opposite'to that on which the opening is positioned, a valve havingadisc'with a stem depending therefrom positioned in'the opening of the base and a spring having arms mounted on the base and extended through openings of the supporting elements, said arms being extended around the stem of the valve and positioned whereby spring action inherent therein urges the valve to a closed position, said supporting elements and valve stem being located to form a triangle providing three points of support for retaining the washer in an upright position.

4. In-a roll film washer, the combination which comprises a cylindrical container having a continuous Wall, openat' the upper end and having a bottom with an cecentrically positioned opening therein on the lower end,

a valve stem having a disc on the upper end extended through the opening with the disc positioned to close the opening, a pair of legs secured to and depending from the bottom, and a spring extended around the stem of the valve and having arms mounted on the under surface of the bottom and positioned with ends thereof extended through the legs, said legs and valve stem being located to form a triangle providing three points of support for retaining the container in an upright position.

5. In a roll film washer, the combination which comprises a cylindrical container having 'a continuous wall, open at the upper end and having a bottom with an eccentrically positioned opening therein on the lower end, a valve stem having a disc on the upper end extended through the opening with the disc positioned to close the opening, a pair of legs secured to and depending from the bottom, and a spring extended around the stern of the valve and having arms mounted in bearings on the under surface of the bottom and positioned with ends thereof extended through the legs, said bearings providing fulcrums imparting lever actions to the arms of the spring, said legs and valve stem being located to'form a triangle providing three points of support for retaining the container in an upright position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 361,070 Long Apr. 21, 1887 FOREIGN PATENTS 712 Great Britain Ian. 4, 1884 of 1884 9,226 Great Britain of 1891 

